Chapter 5

Katarina's POV

Lies were always meant to give rise to pain and anguish with every ounce of self-detested that one could feel. I suddenly felt the same. And probably this was the reason why I despised Alphas this much. The power, the command, the intimidation they held, I was too naive to grip.

My past had been a crucial subject of conversation for me, not that I was scared to open up, but I was frightened of the aftermath that truth would bring. The pain, the sufferings, the hatred. What was I supposed to tell? That these were what my moon blessed gave me? That his fingers had inflicted these marks of ownership, his claim over me?

"I told you, I fell." This time, my voice was calm and the tone was more stable. He didn't seem to grip the lie I fed him instead he gritted his teeth, I could see the muscle of his jaw twitching and with a vague shake of his head, he retreated his hands. The sudden lack of warmness in his body brought a cold gush of wind to settle over me.

His fingers lingered for a moment over the bruises before he locked his eyes with mine.

"Alpha, the arrangements are made. We're good to-" This man surely had very good timing indeed.

Augustus groaned with irritation and I looked over his shoulder before I was met with the dark eyes of a man from yesterday. Avi, I suppose. Today he was dressed more maturely and sophisticated. The black button-down enhanced his caramel skin whilst the lighter-washed jeans cladded to his muscular thighs. This male looked nothing like the man I had seen yesterday.

With one glance at us, he stopped. His brows narrowed in confusion at our intimacy as he tilted his head to the side not understanding why his alpha had cornered an unknown woman to the wall.

My eyes lowered to the floor, suddenly feeling more self-conscious. The bruises over my flesh were now for every other to see, they would know my past, and that would lead to the ultimatum of imagining things and false assumptions. I hated it. I hated this feeling of self-loathe. I was no good, no saint, ruined for any other male and my soul.

How sicken was it to know that my moon blessed was the reason my soul was bleeding, the engravings his actions and words perished upon me, how would I ever forget that? Was there any escape for me, or I was too delusional to even ponder that?

"I'll bring her medicines." James interrupted breaking the awkward and tauten aura surrounding us.

My breath hitched as Augustus gave me a hard glance before he turned around. He needed answers and he would get them no matter what. I gulped. And before that, I would be gone. Augustus was reluctant to follow James before he glanced at me once more.

Avi looked more confused than ever as his eyes landed on the same place where my bruises stood. I uncomfortably shifted on my left foot as my hair fell over my face, shielding my embarrassment.

Wolves of Xerxes's pack never cared if I had bruises or cuts over my body. I was barely treated like his mate back there. The shame, the humiliation, Xerxes had made me go through was intense, wild, and dark. From owning my flesh to conquering my soul, he had destroyed every bit of me. I suddenly didn't recognize the male he had turned into.

"I-" Avi cleared his throat for he had sensed my resistance and looked away. "The preparation of your arrival has been arranged." He tried to break the awkwardness between us and all I could do was merely nod.

***

The ride to the packhouse was tensed and filled with uncomfortable silence. I did my best to not look his way whilst I could sense his intense gaze now and then over the nape of my neck. It was kind of relieving in a way that someone cared about my bruises but also I was intimidated by the way he would usually glance my way. I was not used to kindness.

After Augustus talked with James about my medications, he helped me to settle in a black truck. Avi had some work, so he had to stay with James, and now all I left was this alpha to deal with.

Fidgeting my fingers over my lap, I looked outside. I had to admit it. The surrounding view of the pack borders was soothing. The tall green canopies, the sunlight making polka dot effect on forest grounds. The wild calm breeze and soft aftermath it brought.

It suddenly reminded me of my home.

And also a pang of pain in my chest.

I shrugged away the thoughts. What's gone was gone. After fifteen minutes, we pulled in front of the three-story modern house. The majority of it looked to be made of fine wood and glass. It reflected the color of sunset, making it look as though it was made of fire.

Nervousness filled me as I witnessed several unknown wolves standing in front of the front door. The engine was turned off and my panic grew. I never felt welcomed among wolves. I heard Augustus's door slam shut before I felt the one on my side clicking.

My breath hitched when I looked his way. The warm sunlight fell upon his face, the chiseled jaw of his twitched, his sharp jawline looked more prominent and his orbs glistened brightly.

"Come," he extended his hand and I suddenly felt more anxious. I did not want to go outside. It felt like I was going to go into full panic. Xerxes had made me loathe every single wolf even though I was one myself.

"You don't have to worry, no one's going to hurt you."

Augustus sensed my discomfort for he assured me with his soft words. Maybe. Maybe, it wasn't as hard as I portrayed it to be. Moreover, it was not like I was going to live here for eternity. I needed a cover, and it was perfect.

Shaking, I placed my hand over his. The sudden contact made my skin tingle and I snapped my eyes towards him for he felt the same as his eyes sparkled.

"Come, Katarina."

My feet stumbled as I stepped outside the truck. The harsh sun did nothing to calm me yet I felt strange feelings leveling through me. The atmosphere around here was more lively, less conservative. My hands were sweating profusely between his palm. Now that he was so close to me, I could barely keep up with his long strides and tall posture. He was a man in his prime.

Ignoring the blaring sensations, I looked ahead. My eyes first landed on a beautiful woman standing a few feet away from us. She wore a tight pair of dark-washed jeans and a white crop, off-shoulder top. The shining long blondes of hers were draped down her back in waves of sunshine and more. And when my eyes landed on her porcelain face, I was taken off guard by the charming smile on her red-painted lips.

"Alpha Augustus, good to see you here," she beamed with excitement as she clasped her hands together and bowed slightly, giving her respect to her Alpha.

"How are you doing, Mikaela? Where's Kral? I wonder what that little devil is up to this time." Mikaela's face brightened up at the said name and she threw her head back chuckling.

"He's probably sulking around. That little devil of mine wanted to visit his Dad. James was suddenly called when he was playing with Kral and you know how demanding Kral becomes."

James? Was she talking about the same James I think or some other? Augustus laughed and I watched in awe as his lips curled upward and he wholeheartedly chuckled.

I wished to laugh the same way.

"He'll probably hate me thinking his father is occupied because of me. But if it isn't for an emergency, I would have never called him immediately." Augustus's tone suddenly dropped to a hard one. His palm tightened around my hand and I held back the urge to flinch.

"It's alright, it's his duty as a doctor to serve his pack. This is the least we could do after what you've done for us." Augustus's eyes softened.

"Anyways, this is Katarina. Katarina, this is Mikaela, James' mate, and his wife." His hand left mine before it found a way to my lower back to push me in front of him. My eyes widened.

"Y-you're beautiful." The words stuttered out of my mouth before I could think.

Damn! Why did I have to embarrass myself like this?

Now she would probably think I was some kind of freak. I clenched my eyes shut, suddenly wanting the lands to open and swallow me wholly. My eyes lowered to the ground, waiting for her to snicker at me and probably embarrass me further.

Instead, I heard two distinct laughs. W-were are they laughing at me?

"She's a shy one. You were right." Mikaela muttered in between her laughs for her blue orbs softened at my sight.

"I know, right. That's why I trust you with her."

"You don't have to worry, Alpha."

***

"And this is the library. If you need anything and I mean anything, just seek me. You don't have to feel uncomfortable around me or any other wolf. You're welcome here and don't hesitate to use the kitchen to your liking."

"T-Thank you."

She smiled.

"No worries, sweetheart. You can rest now since your injuries are still healing. Feel free to take a bath, I've arranged a few sets of clothes for you in a drawer and other necessities."

After Augustus received a call from Avi, he left me with Mikaela. Not that I minded, I was starting to like her personally. She was a fun-loving and cheerful woman.

Everything I was not.

I was introduced to a few rules of the pack and she happily gave me a tour of the house. The packhouse was quite large from the inside. With a touch of modernity and subtle ancient crafts.

I was given a room on the second floor. Closer to stairs and between Mikaela's and James, and Avi's room. I was also informed that Augustus didn't live her though he had the entire third floor to himself, he preferred to keep his privacy in his place.

She said she'd show me his house next week after I heal fully.

Probably, I wasn't going to be here for that long.

I was yet to introduce myself to other wolves but Mikaela suggested I should rest first. And since there was a feast tonight, I would be introduced at that time.

I just wish for that feast to end soon as I was a complete introvert. People scare me more than ghosts. A yawn escaped my lips. But first, I need to sleep.